Claims

AIR hurricane model now includes possibility of re-intensification post-landfall

AIR Worldwide Inc. has released an updated U.S. hurricane model that now captures the possibility of a storm’s re-intensification after landfall.”As evidenced by Hurricane Ike in 2008, inland hurricane losses from some storms can be significant,” an AIR release says. “While research indicates that re-intensification occurs in less than five per cent of all landfalling […]

By Canadian Underwriter | July 19, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Toyota Canada rolls out latest in hybrid technology

Toyota Canada is rolling out demonstrations across Canada of its Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV), which can plug into a standard 110-volt electrical outlet.One such demonstration car was delivered for testing to Manitoba’s Ministry of Innovation Energy and Mines. Other cars will be tested in B.C., Ontario and Quebec.The PHV is the next step in hybrid […]

By Canadian Underwriter | July 19, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Calgary tallies damages arising from hailstorm

It remains too early to tell whether the auto and home insurance claims generated by Calgary’s hailstorm on July 12, 2010 will compare to Canada’s biggest hailstorm claims event in 1991.The 1991 event, also in Calgary, was the country’s worst-recorded hailstorm event in terms of insurance claims. The 30-minute storm almost two decades ago resulted […]

By Canadian Underwriter | July 14, 2010

1 min read

Claims

Number of Ontario auto claims settlements without a mediator triples: FSCO arbitrator

An arbitrator at the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) says resolving auto accident benefits claims disputes “on a timely basis” has become “an increasingly critical issue” in the province’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system.In his decision in Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company and Jaswinder Singh, FSCO director delegate Lawrence Blackman cited FSCO statistics […]

By Canadian Underwriter | July 9, 2010

1 min read

La Nina conditions developing, raising risk of increased Atlantic hurricane activity

La Nina conditions are likely to develop in July and August, potentially causing an increase in hurricane activity in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.The U.S. Climate Prediction Center issued a watch on July 8, cautioning that sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean are cooler than average. “The majority of models now predict La […]

1 min read

Supreme Court of Canada confirms jury trials can’t be split without consent of the parties

The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal in Linn v. Kovach, upholding the principle that a court cannot split a jury trial without the consent of both parties.The Ontario Court of Appeal found in February 2010 that jury trials are an exception to the court’s power to split or bifurcate a trial based […]

2 min read

DAS Canada obtains Ontario license to offer legal expense insurance in the province

DAS Legal Protection Insurance Company Limited (DAS Canada) has received its insurance licence from The Financial Services Commission of Ontario, making DAS Canada the first specialty legal expense insurer in the country able to offer policies in Ontario. Legal expense insurance covers costs associated with pursuing and defending legal rights, following an unforeseen event. Although […]

1 min read

Expect judges to use ‘life joys’ to determine serious injuries: Hughes Amys LLP

Insurance defence lawyers believe Ontario’s judiciary will increasingly use the concept of “life joys” to determine whether or not auto injuries meet the threshold of “serious” injuries, according to an article in Hughes Amys LLP newsletter Noteworthy.”The concept of ‘life joys’ is one which we anticipate will resonate with the judiciary and is a term […]

1 min read

SGI Canada flooded with property claims amidst foul weather

SGI Canada has received a total of approximately 4,700 property and auto insurance claims as a result of the foul weather plaguing Saskatchewan over the past few months.All told, since April 2010, there have been 3,000 property claims estimated at over $47 million and close to 1,700 vehicle claims estimated at $10 million as a […]

1 min read

Manitoba drivers caught with cell phones face $200 fine as of July 15, 2010

Manitoba drivers caught texting or using hand-held cell phones could face a fine of almost $200 under a new law that takes effect July 15, 2010, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton has announced.The new law comes under amendments to the province’s Highway Traffic Act.”We know the hazards that distracted drivers create on our roads,” […]

1 min read